ISO 23952:2020

Overview

ISO 23952:2020 - Automation systems and integration - Quality information framework (QIF) - defines an integrated information model for manufacturing quality information. It documents the general content and structure of the entire QIF information model, describes the highest‑level data structures, and explains how those structures are partitioned among QIF XML schema files (see www.qifstandards.org). The standard also provides guidance for forming QIF instance files (called “documents”) that support end‑to‑end, model‑based definition (MBD) manufacturing quality workflows.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Information model structure: Describes the top‑level architecture of QIF and orients users to how data domains are organized across the specification.
• Data dictionaries and XML schemas: Clauses 6–12 expand the model using formal data dictionaries and XML schema files; the standard explains how the model is split among those schema documents.
• Instance file practices: Provides recommended practices for creating QIF instance files (documents) to represent plans, results and related quality data for workflow scenarios.
• Modeling scope: Focuses on core data structures that represent content from ASME GD&T and ISO GPS and the plans/results elements defined in DMSI (ISO 22093) and ANSI/DMSC DMIS 5.3.
• Terminology and conformance: Includes extensive terms and definitions to ensure consistent interpretation, and outlines conformance concepts so implementers can evaluate QIF applicability without delving into low‑level schema syntax.
• XML design practices: Presents consistent schema design practices to guide future QIF working groups and help software developers reliably read/write QIF XML.

Practical applications and who should use it

ISO 23952:2020 is intended for:

• Quality engineers and metrologists implementing model‑based inspection and measurement workflows.
• Software developers and integrators building tools that write or consume QIF XML (e.g., inspection planning, CMM programming, results aggregation).
• Solution providers and system architects evaluating QIF for interoperability and data exchange across CAD, CAI, CMM, and quality management systems.
• Standards evaluators and procurement teams who need to understand QIF organization before assessing detailed schemas.

Practical benefits include improved interoperability, standardized representation of GD&T and measurement data, streamlined data exchange across inspection equipment and enterprise systems, and a clear path to automate quality workflows using MBD.

Related standards

• ANSI/DMSC QIF 3.0 (basis for ISO 23952:2020)
• ASME GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing)
• ISO GPS (geometrical product specification)
• ISO 22093 (DMSI - Dimensional Measuring Interface Standards)
• ANSI/DMSC DMIS 5.3

For schema downloads and implementation resources, see www.qifstandards.org.